█▓▒░(°TaNoLi°)░▒▓█ Forged On the Fire of Sacrifice

In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
Assalam'o'alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi  Wa Barakatuhu 
mohammedhussainquraishi

 

 

Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem 

As Salamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barkatuh!

Forged On the Fire of Sacrifice

Significant lessons

from the inspirational story of

Ibrahim (alaihis-salam)-

The Khalil of Allah Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala.

by Umm Thameenah

Sacrifice is a term truly understood by few and implemented by fewer. Have you ever reflected upon your actions, asking yourself:

"What have I sacrificed in the way of Allah?"

"What do I give in His Way and for His cause?" 

For how many of us so effortless claim belief in Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala) and yet such weighty claims are never reflected upon the limbs? The true beloveds of Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala) are those ready to submit to the will of Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala), devote themselves to Him (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala) and who completely sacrifice from the essence of their souls, for an incomparable exchange of His (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala) Pleasure and Love.   
 

The Prophet Ibrahim (alaihis-salam) was brought up amongst people that worshiped idols, committing the greatest sin in the sight of Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala): shirk (associating partners with Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala). He hated this act of evil and thus acted in the way of Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala) to eradicate the idols, never once wavering:

"Indeed Ibrahim was a model nation,

devoutly obedient to Allah, of pure faith,

and he was never of the polytheists"

(An Nahl:120). 

The Prophet Ibrahim (alaihis-salam) had full yaqeen (certainty) that his Lord (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala) would make a way for him, as it was His (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala) pleasure alone that he was seeking. As his words, limbs and actions bore witness to his deep-rooted belief in The Creator (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala), he acted with pure conviction:

"'And by Allah,

I shall surely outwit your idols after you have gone away.'

So he broke them into pieces, except the biggest of them,

that they might return and see it"

(Al Anbiya: 57-58).  

The idol worshippers, angered by his actions took revenge, foolishly ignoring the fact that The One whom Ibrahim (alaihis-salam) was calling to, was in control of their very own actions.

"They said: 'Burn him, and avenge your gods,

if you are going to do anything."We said:

'O fire! Be cool and safe for Ibrahim.'

Then they looked for a way to outwit him,

so We made them the worst of losers"

(Al Anbiya: 68-70).

They stood in complete amazement, bewildered by the unusual change of nature: fire, a component known to provide heat and burn that which touches it, was cool for the beloved friend of Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala).  

The trials that befell Ibrahim (alaihis-salam) reaffirmed his true faith in his Lord (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala) and prepared him for greater tests that were soon to follow. Sisters, our sacrifices in the way of Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala) should never weaken our faith but rather strengthen our belief, conviction and love for our Lord (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala). Though we seek protection from Al-Ibtillaa' (Allah's Tests), we readily prepare ourselves for them, so as to ensure that we respond in the best of manners to our Beloved's (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala) Decree, sacrificing only the best of what we possess. 

When Ibrahim (alaihis-salam) had taken Hajar and baby Isma'il (alaihis-salam) to Makkah, leaving them with some dates and water, little did Hajar know what was to face her and her baby: The test of endurance and patience. Just imagine being left with your suckling infant, by your husband, family member or guardian in a deserted land with some dates and water. What would be going through your mind? Hajar followed Ibrahim (alaihis-salam) and asked several times “Why are you going leaving us in the valley where there is no living being or anything else?" When Ibrahim (alaihis-salam) gave no answer, Hajar realised there must be more to the situation so she enquired: "Has Allah commanded you to do so?" When Ibrahim (alaihis-salam) replied "yes", sisters what was the beautiful response of the dear mother of Isma'il (alaihis-salam)?  "He will then not leave us to be destroyed here." Hajar had no idea why her husband had been commanded to perform such an action, but that did not matter, for the command came from Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala), her Lord, thus her unrelenting faith submitted to His commands and not to that of her own desires.  

After decades of preparing Ibrahim (alaihis-salam) through life experiences, trials and tests, Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala) knew that His khalil was now ready for one of the greatest tests that would befall him: The Sacrifice of something beloved - his son, Isma'il (alaihis-salam). After seeing in a dream the orders of Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala) to sacrifice his son, Ibrahim (alaihis-salam) proceeded to act swiftly upon his Lord's command:

"So We gave him glad tidings of a boy, most forbearing.

And when Isma'il reached the age of work with him, he said:

'O my son! I have seen in a dream that I offer you in sacrifice,

so tell me what is your view?'

He said: 'O my father! Do as you are commanded,

you will find me, if Allah so willed, one of the patient'"

(As Saffat: 101-102). 

Though this sacrifice meant losing his beloved son, Isma'il (alaihis-salam), Ibrahim (alaihis-salam) stood firm, convinced that this was for the best, for how could it not be when the order had come from Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala) The Only One worthy of sacrifices? Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala) does not require the act of sacrificing our blood, rather He (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala) wishes to decipher which of us are true to our claims of belief. As a result of Ibrahim (alaihis-salam)'s and Isma'il's (alaihis-salam) conviction and istaqaamah (steadfastness) in upholding the commands of Allah, they were praised and described as being forbearing, patient and truthful in fulfilling promises.  

In all that we experience, Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala) only wishes to reward His faithful servants with the best, after they have truly shown that they are worthy of receiving such an honourable gift. Ibrahim (alaihis-salam) succeeded in achieving this and thus (alaihis-salam) was rewarded with the greatest gift that any servant could receive in this dunya:

"And who can be better in religion than he who submits

his whole self to the Will of Allah, and does good

and follows the religion of Ibrahim, a man pure in faith.

Allah took Ibrahim as a friend"

(An Nisa: 125).

Through each and every one of His great tests, Prophet Ibrahim (alaihis-salam) stood firm with great resolve, never once doubting His Lord's Decree. Ibrahim's (alaihis-salam) istaqaamah (steadfastness) is an example which has left a legacy for all to marvel at and be reminded by. As I quietly sit here contemplating his life, trials and sacrifices, I feel a great sense of love overwhelm my heart, as tears silently stream down my face. Though he (alaihis-salam) faced unimaginable trials, he uttered only what was pleasing to his Lord:

"Allah is sufficient for us,

and how excellent a Protector He is"

(Aal Imran:173). 

Every single waking moment of our lives testifies to who we truly are, displaying public examples of what really exists in our hearts, whether pure or corrupt. The reality of our situation is that we're either ready to accept, submit and sacrifice or quite simply, not. When Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala) brings about a test, hardship and difficulty, the one thought that should resonate in our mind is: this is a sign of my Lord's love for me. For the fact that Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala) has chosen for you to be tested is an indication that He (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala) has not left you to your own devices, thus is with you though you may feel alone. In reality, Prophet Ibrahim (alaihis-salam) was the only one worshipping Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala) as One God but Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala) was with him, guiding him, protecting him and honouring him. He always remained firm upon three significant qualities: yaqeen (certainty); tawakkul (trust) and nusuk (sacrifice), all underpinned by beautifully polished hikmah (wisdom): 

"Say:

'Surely, my prayer and my sacrifice,

my life and my death

are all for Allah, the Lord of the worlds.

He has no partner,

and this is what I have been commanded,

and I am the first of those who submit themselves"

(Al An'am:162-163).  

Ibrahim (alaihis-salam) chose one way: the only way in which to prove his belief and willingness to sacrifice from the very roots of his heart and soul, earning himself an honourable gift, comparable to none: becoming the beloved friend of Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala).  

Umm Thameenah has been working in the dawah for over seven years, teaching, mentoring and bringing spiritual awareness to Muslim women about Islam. She regularly blogs her experiences and welcomes you to read about her ongoing journey to Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala) at:

www.ourmagnificentjourney.blogspot.com

and

akhawaatulqalam.wordpress.com

q

Share this POST with maximum number of people you can.
Guiding one soul to knowledge and faith
is a momentous achievement.
It is what will earn us great blessings.
(Insha Allah)

Jazak Allahu khairan !

With kind & humble regards,
Umm Safoora
q

Our Lord! grant us good in this world
and good in the hereafter,
and save us from the chastisement of the fire





(Aameen)

__._,_.___

Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a new topic

Messages in this topic (1)

Recent Activity:

Visit Your Group

    ((( Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem )))

~ Let there be a community among you who call to the good, and enjoin the right, and forbid the wrong. They are the ones who have success.(Qur'an, 3:104)

~ They believe in Allah and the Last Day, and enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, and compete in doing good. They are among the righteous.(Qur'an, 3:114)

~ If you avoid the serious wrong actions you have been forbidden, We will erase your bad actions from you and admit you by a Gate of Honour.(Qur'an, 4:31)

~ Help one another in birr (righteousness, virtue), and taqwa (piety, fear of Allah, God-consciousness), and do not help one another in sinning and transgression. And fear and revere Allah; verily, Allah is severe in punishment.(Qur'an, 5:2)

~ You who believe! Have fear of Allah and seek the means of drawing near to Him and strive in His way,so that hopefully you'll be successful. (Qur'an, 5:35)

~ Ask your Lord for forgiveness and then repent to Him. He will let you enjoy a good life until a specified time, and will give His favour to all who merit it. But if you turn your backs, I fear for you the punishment of a Mighty Day.(Qur'an, 11:3)

~ Strive for Allah with the striving due to Him. He has selected you and not placed any constraint upon you in the religion-the religion of your forefather Ibrahim. He named you Muslims before and also in this, so that the Messenger could be witness against you and you could be witnesses against all mankind. So perform prayer and give alms and hold fast to Allah. He is your Protector-the Best Protector, the Best Helper. (Qur'an, 22:78)

   (((Subhan-Allahi Wa-Bihamdihi, Subhan-Allahil Azeem)))

Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use

.

__,_._,___